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Find Friends in Ben Lomond

Where two strangers meet over coffee

Welcome to the Ben Lomond community! Here you can discover and connect with people in your area who share your interests and values.

Ben Lomond is part of our Central Coast service area, where we help bring local communities together.

Yourfriendlyneighbor

She / Her

Arroyo Grande, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
Pupating? Feeling more and more like a beautiful butterfly.
My family is still a very large part of my daily life, but I'm learning to devote more time to myself and re-discovering my interests and personal life goals.
How's your life?
It has its ups and downs, but these days it's great and just seems to be getting better.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Growth - personal, plants, animals, people. I love growth. Writing Photography Gardening Walking and sitting in nature Watching bugs The love of my family and friends Friendship with deep connection Laughter Irreverence and occasional dark humor
What is most important to you right now?
Relationships Health Community
Anything you recently found interesting?
So so many things. Let me pick one: one of my chickens seems to prefer the company of humans over her flock. Oh! Also, the praying mantis on my back porch will let me feed it, if I'm careful about how I approach.

Projector

He / Him

Salinas, CA

Projector's photo

Yosemite Horsetail Falls/Firefall. Was able to take this in person this year.

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’ve been commuting to San Jose for school or work since 2010. While I do have some friends I find it hard to make time to work on a social circle considering the commute and needing to get home to feed my cats.
How's your life?
I’m starting to realize that I need to get out and enjoy life while I can. I found myself recently single, and I'm still trying to figure out how to live life only worrying about myself.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Getting to do things outdoors, like hiking and camping. Going to standup comedy shows and just trying to relax. I was really into fostering/raising kittens, but stopped after my partner and I split. I'm still a big cat person (and a cat dad).
What is most important to you right now?
Recently found myself single after a long term relationship, so I’m transitioning into figuring out how to do just do things on my own now.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I recently got back into working out and just trying to stay active. I think I found a new hobby in hiking at state/county parks & trails. I'm also very into trying new food spots and expanding my bookmarks of places to eat.

HeartMind

He / Him

Santa Cruz, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
In a decent place! Lots of wild detours. Met some great people along the way. Learned a lot about myself and what really matters to me. Trying to into all of that more fully with patience, compassion, and a touch of boldness.
How's your life?
Big question. Simple response. I take it a day at a time. I see life is more list a mystery to unfold than a problem to solve. I try to make good choices. I try to be helpful. And I aspire to make the most of every day. I love learning in all forms. I love people and building community. I have done that in some rather unique ways that have helped me see how people and groups share each other. It's one of the things I'm most passionate about.
What helps you keep your sanity?
People and causes I care about. Connecting to things bigger than myself.
What is most important to you right now?
Richer sense of community, more strong friendships that evolve meaningfully over time.
Anything you recently found interesting?
So much that this question is overwhelming. Lol.

YellowbourbonCoating

She / Her

Boulder Creek, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
Mid 30s in a happy committed relationship just beginning my third career (it was a rough road but I'm glad I'm here now).
How's your life?
Pretty good. I like my home life; I like my work and colleagues; I love where I live. I'm a critical one. I think I'm too critical of my circumstances. Nothing is ever perfect but I'm genuinely happy these days.
Anything you recently found interesting?
My boyfriend and I are all prepped to try to grow mushrooms (the grocery store kind though I fully approve of all mushrooms).
BooksAndBakedGoods
I love your mushroom love inclusivity! I’ve never considered growing my own, but I like the idea! I can also be very critical of myself. I like to think of myself as a recovering perfectionist, as Brene Brown says. Sending you a coffee chat!
Reply to BooksAndBakedGoods

trynahike

She / Her

Santa Barbara, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m 31 and have moved around a fair bit, landed in Santa Barbara and absolutely love it. I enjoy backpacking, camping, hiking, and climbing and would love to find some outdoor adventure buddies! I also love live music and am always interested in learning something new.
How's your life?
Life is great! I work remotely and have a lot of flexibility. I have a great partner and community through him, and am looking to meet more people and develop my own network as a recent transplant to town.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature no question. I love to explore and get out into the wilderness where there’s no service and no concrete.
What is most important to you right now?
The most important thing to me is my people- family and friends. Second is how I spend my time. I try to be intentional about spending my time doing things I love and am looking for like-minded people to share those experiences with.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I learned today there is a species of lizard in Santa Barbara whose blood kills lymes disease. Nature is neat!

ChristianLady

She / Her

Goleta, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I am at a blessed point in my life! And I am focused on developing my skills, social circle, and relationship with God. I am excited to hopefully make new friends!
How's your life?
My life is doing well! I am working a fine job, attending community events, and participating in stable hobbies. Plus, I am a caring and humble female that loves nature and science!
What helps you keep your sanity?
The Bible/Gospel/Word without a doubt keeps me sane. Yeshua died on the cross for me and I have happily given my soul to Him. I am passionate about Spreading His Word. All glory goes to God.
What is most important to you right now?
The most important thing to me right now would have to be my relationship with God, first and foremost, and then it would be growing my social circle. I don’t have a lot of friends, so hopefully I will be blessed in making true ones soon!
Anything you recently found interesting?
Yes, the world is very interesting. There are many secrets that lie within it. So, let’s uncover them together! Blessings to everyone!

Nik

He / Him

Santa Cruz, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I recently turned 41. I feel much younger but doesn't everybody?
How's your life?
Its pretty good overall. I have a super fulfilling job, I have a fulfilling relationship, but I have always struggled with the idea of living well. It was kind of moot in Utah since it was so constraining, but now that we are in California its really coming back to the fore
What helps you keep your sanity?
My work, actually. I adore my job I've gotten incredibly lucky in what I do. But also now that I am in California, the redwoods. The redwoods are my favorite place in the world, by far.
What is most important to you right now?
I think trying to find peace. Trying to live in a way that feels intentionally positive. I've always really wanted to live in a way that felt sustainable and peaceful but I've always struggled to do so, and I really want to work on that.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I've been thinking a lot about why I find the Syrian revolution so hopeful.